Tuesday 10 October 2017

Adobe Connect versus Zoom

Now that the Zoom web conferencing system has been made available to all UQ staff and students, feedback is sought on whether the Adobe Connect virtual classroom system is still required. If you currently use Adobe Connect, please try Zoom and provide feedback on any features unique to Adobe Connect you think may prevent you from using Zoom. Zoom offers the advantages of a telephone dial in option for students and guest speakers. Zoom also facilitates student initiated collaborations for group projects. Please email feedback to elearningtraining@uq.edu.au.

Early bird Nov / Dec workshops

The eLearning team are offering a range of practical workshops on eLearning tools to help staff prepare for Summer Semester and Semester 1. For a description of each workshop, dates and to register, visit the Staff Development / Teaching and Learning Technologies website.

ePortfolio collaboration tool pilot S1 2018

The eLearning team are requesting volunteers to pilot the collaborative functionality available in the UQ ePortfolio system, in their course, in Semester 1 2018. The ePortfolio collaboration tool provides students with a shared workspace to build portfolios, conduct discussions and document project tasks. The ePortfolio collaboration tool can be used as an alternative to the Blackboard blog or wiki tool.

To find out more about the UQ ePortfolio collaboration tool, request a meeting on the UQ ePortfolio webpage to talk through the potentials within your course.

ePortfolio S2 2018

The UQ ePortfolio system provides students with the tools to digitally showcase their work, helping them understand and communicate their employability. The UQ ePortfolio system also supports courses and programs to track student learning and development over time, as well as supporting authentic, multimodal and reflective assessment practices.

To find out more about the UQ ePortfolio system, request a meeting on the UQ ePortfolio webpage to talk through the potentials within your course or program.

Tip: Record reasons for mark changes

When changing marks, including a reason for the change allows you to audit the validity of mark changes before you upload grades to SI-net. In Grade Centre, you can add a comment when you change a mark. At the end of semester, you can then use the Grades history report to show all changes and comments, to confirm validity and check for errors. For step-by-step instructions refer to guides on Grades security, Edit a mark and record a reason and Grade history report.

Learn.UQ upgrade Christmas 2017

Blackboard will be unavailable due to maintenance from 27 to 29 December, during the mid-Summer Semester recess. During this period, the upgrade originally intended for July will be applied along with some other changes required to maintain key functionality such as Blackboard assignment annotations. For more information, please refer to the Learn.UQ upgrade timeline 2017 webpage.

Minimum presence policy update

An updated Minimum Presence in Blackboard policy (3.80.01) has been approved by the Teaching and Learning Committee. Blackboard course sites should now be made available to students one week prior to the first teaching activity, with at least a welcome message. Full minimum presence requirements should be met before the first teaching activity.

Order your Summer Semester and Semester 1 courses now

1. Use the online Site Request form located on the Staff tab in Learn.UQ. This form also allows you to request a copy of course content from a previous semester.

OR

2. Publish your Electronic Course Profile (ECP) for a blank course template to be created automatically within 48 hours. For content to be copied, request a 'copy' through the Staff tab mentioned above.

Early commencement of Semester 1, 2018

A decision was taken by the University to commence Semester 1 classes one week early, on 19 February 2018 rather than 26 February 2018. This early commencement enables the Semester 1 mid-semester break to be extended to two weeks instead of one week, from 2 April to 13 April 2018, thus aligning with the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games being held from 4 to 15 April 2018. Please ensure you factor these changes into your schedule for 2018. If you have any questions or concerns in relation to the above, please contact the Office of The Academic Registrar.

Blackboard mobile app

The Blackboard “Mobile Learn” app has reached end of life and no longer works. From January 2018 the new “Blackboard Instructor” app will be available for use with Learn.UQ, after the upgrade in December.

ITaLI TeachAssist

TeachAssist is provided by ITaLI for the UQ community to offer support for their teaching and learning. If you are considering changing your curriculum, its delivery or assessment, evaluating your teaching or perhaps even educational research then get in contact through the ITaLI TeachAssist website. Assistance is available on a range of pedagogical, teaching professional development, evaluations, learning analytics and online learning development activities.

Custom workshops for teaching staff, tutors and professional staff

Custom workshops on centrally supported eLearning tools are available on request for faculties, schools and/or courses. Laptops are provided for the sessions and course coordinators only need to book a meeting room. Contact elearningtraining@uq.edu.au with details of the preferred date, time, room booking and approximate numbers.

Feature Videos

Q&A sessions with Padlet

Record reasons for mark changes

Grade Centre includes functionality to add a comment when you change a mark. These comments are then included in the Grade History which you can view at the end of semester to confirm validity and check for errors before transfer your grades to SI-net. Watch video (2.22 mins)